HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-06 City Council Regular MinutesCITY COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
The regular meeting of the City Council of the City of
Apache Junction, Arizona, was held on February 6, 2018, at the
Apache Junction City Council Chambers pursuant to the notice
required by law.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Serdy called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
INVOCATION
Vice Mayor Wilson gave the Invocation.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Councilmember Rizzi led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL
Councilmembers Present:Mayor Serdy
Vice Mayor Wilson
Councilmember Barker
Councilmember Evans
Councilmember Rizzi
Councilmember Struble
Councilmember Waldron
Staff Present:City Manager Bryant Powell
Assistant City Manager Matt Busby
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
City Attorney Joel Stern
Public Safety Director Tom Kelly
Development Services Director Larry
Kirch
Economic Development Director Janine
Solley
Others Present:Economic Development Specialist Elan
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Vallender
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
Public Information Officer Al Bravo
Management Assistant Anna McCray
ACCEPTANCE OF CONSENT AGENDA
)Councilmember Rizzi MOVED
THAT THE CONSENT AGENDA BE ACCEPTED AS PRESENTED.
Councilmember Barker SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS
Public Safety Director Tom Kelly commented on the programs his
officers participate in for Mothers Against Drunk Driving and
the task force.He introduced state representatives from
Mothers Against Drunk Drivers who are here to present an award.
The state executive director for Mothers Against Drunk Driving
gave a brief presentation on why the organization is so
important and what it does.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving representative Rachel gave a brief
description of the fundraising walk police departments
participate in and presented the Apache Junction Police
Department with the highest law enforcement fundraising team
award.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF CURRENT EVENTS
Councilmember Struble announced last Sunday night was the AJ
Kids Idol program at Barleens with 10 performers.It was a
great event and he thanked the sponsors and those in attendance.
The proceeds will go towards purchasing and installing
playground equipment for special needs kids.
Councilmember Struble announced they have visited three of the
over 55 parks in the last couple months.It has been a pleasure
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to meet with them and answer their questions.He invited other
parks to contact Al Bravo to set up meetings.
Councilmember Evans announced last weekend was a very successful
event at Earth Heart Park.It usually shuts down at 2 p.m. but
people kept coming.The next one is April and it will be the
final one for the season.It will have the ladybug release.
Councilmember Evans announced there will be a Bluegrass Festival
at Earth Heart Park in the future at night.
Councilmember Evans announced she participated in our Point in
Time event last week counting the homeless population along with
other volunteers, encompassing the very young to the very old.
Mayor Serdy announced they have the marathon coming up and Lost
Dutchman Days which are pretty big.Usually people do not miss
those.
Mayor Serdy announced tomorrow night they will have the first
ever State of the City event at the high school auditorium.All
the other cities do theirs by invitation only, inviting other
councils and mayors.We are opening up to the whole city.It
will open at 6:30 p.m. for people to mingle with officials and
the event starts at 7:00 p.m.
CITY MANAGER'S REPORT
City Manager Bryant Powell commented they have the state
legislative representatives here tonight.First will be Senator
Farnsworth, followed by Representative Coleman and then
Representative Townsend.
Mayor Serdy thanked them for being here tonight after they have
probably been in session all day.
Senator David Farnsworth briefed the council on some bills, the
north/south corridor and State Route 24, future bus routes and
education issues.
Councilmember Barker thanked him for working with the League of
Cities and Towns on the home business bill.She appreciated his
efforts there.She is concerned about SB1374 that has not been
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seen in a committee or seen anything that would address some of
the concerns about the previous bill where legislators can state
a city is not following the appropriate course and the attorney
general gets to investigate them.That bill is just sitting
there somewhere and she is concerned that there is no movement
on it.
Senator David Farnsworth stated one of his passions is
explaining to people how the system down there works.He is
very passionate about state government.He is not acquainted
with where that bill is.He has too many of his own and most of
his are not moving.But he is sure she knows the system.The
senate president, if it starts on the senate side, can kill any
bill and any chairman can kill any bill.That is probably where
it is.That is where most bills die, is the chairman refusing
to have it heard.That is not necessarily a bad thing.If it
is your favorite bill it is a bad thing.The process, the way
it is designed, we expect the chairman to do most of the heavy
lifting, meaning the bad bills should not be allowed to move
forward.There again, perspective.He would love to check on
that and see where it is.
Councilmember Barker commented he is sponsoring a bill that
deals with local food producers, SB1250.She asked why he is
interested in this particular area.
Senator David Farnsworth stated he has been a believer in
emergency preparation his whole life.He is very concerned
about the ability to produce food.In fact, he was not going to
mention this, but she brought it up.
Councilmember Barker commented she thought she would bring it up
so that he could talk about it.
Senator David Farnsworth stated SB1063 he has nicknamed the food
czar bill.It is through the senate.Please read this bill.
He has tried to get people to read it.One concern is if we
allow only the big food producers to control all the food in the
state, then if we have some kind of crisis the question is what
would they do.They have some wonderful food producers in the
Yuma area, southern Arizona and California.But if something
disrupted trucking or electricity, refrigeration and so forth,
we would be in serious trouble.That is why he was listening to
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the comments about gardens and so forth.He believes this bill,
if passed and it looks like it will pass, will shut down all the
farmers' markets and small farms because of serious regulation.
The bill he sponsored his staff found a couple of years ago, a
very amazing part of state law that says that a food producer
cannot be required to purchase a permit or a license or be
charged a fee.That has been ignored.There is a group that
came to him from a community garden that said the City of
Phoenix was not allowing them to grow their community garden and
asked if he would help.They looked into that and he has sent a
letter to the attorney general requesting an opinion on that.
As he reads the statute, it is a fascinating statute that
addresses food production.It was put in statute years ago and
as he reads it, it should allow people to produce food without
regulation.His bill is simply to clarify what they believe it
already means and hopefully the attorney general will give them
an opinion and they will not need the bill.
Councilmember Barker asked how that would impact cities.He
spoke of large food producers so how does this bill impact
cities and their regulation on front yard use as opposed to
people growing things in the backyard which would be perfectly
fine.
Senator David Farnsworth stated the issue was brought to him a
few weeks ago that the City of Phoenix was imposing severe
regulations and high fees on those that were trying to grow a
community garden.They came to him and reminded him of the
statute and said they thought it was illegal the way it was
being done.It only addresses what is already in statute.It
does not talk about front yard or backyard, just what is in
statute that growers should not be required to get a license or
a fee be charged in order to produce food.
Mayor Serdy commented they should move on to some other
questions.
Councilmember Waldron commented he also appreciates his efforts
with the League on SB1001.Every year the legislature goes into
session and cities have to sit there and fight and struggle to
maintain control of their boundaries, basically, the things that
happen within the cities and towns.He asked what his level of
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support is for the cities and counties within the State of
Arizona when it comes to legislative matters.
Senator David Farnsworth stated that is really vital.We have
heard and believe the term that government is best that is
closest to the people.He has one concern, in his opinion, that
it is quite easy for this group to pass legislation because all
it takes is a majority vote.He has not been on a city council
so he is not speaking from experience.He knows in the
legislature it is a long process, very complex, with a lot of
opportunity for citizens to be involved and have an influence
from hi S perspective.He did work with the counties, SB 1001
that he sponsored, deals with the counties and it is a
continuation of the work he has been doing for about four years.
He met with Kristen Cipola from the counties every month all
summer asking the counties to please look at their home -based
business regulations and make them a little bit easier because
small businesses are the lifeblood of America.He believes the
most important business in America is the one not started yet
because business start-ups are what gives us life.He did not
intend to sponsor either SB1001 or SB1002 this year.He worked
all year long and the last month he met with her she said she
tried to get this on the county's agenda but it was not a high
enough priority.He then turned to her and told her he would
have to sponsor the bill.The intent of SB1001 and S61002 is to
encourage county supervisors and city councils to take a look at
the home -based business regulations to see if they make sense.
If someone comes and looks at the regulations and says it does
not make sense, we do not want to offend the neighbors.
Nevertheless, it is a very practical thing to start a business
in the home.It is pretty broad for his question, but on a
positive note the biggest success he has had is in direct
communication with Maricopa County on this subject.They
changed their regulations on a county level.He is brand new at
this but looking at the city level and they just took the things
that looked most unreasonable, for example Maricopa County
saying one could only use 15% of your home for your home
business.All the other counties had at least 25% or more.
Maricopa County was the most restricted so he talked to them,
they met together and in rulemaking they changed it, taking the
cap off all together.Now in Maricopa County if you have a
home -based business you do not have a square foot limitation.
That is a perfect example of where home rule was best.He never
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would have asked them to take the cap off completely.His bill
asked counties and cities to allow at least 50%.Maricopa
County said they do not need a cap.The beauty is if they come
and ask for a permit the government has the say in what they are
going to allow.The rumor has gotten out that this bill allows
everything and it does not.It says the applicant should go to
the city or the county, ask permission and they will lay out the
boundaries.They are only saying to not limit these certain
things.
Councilmember Struble commented his question addresses the bills
he has brought forth concerning the home -based businesses.He
is in business for himself.He started a business in his home.
He works with businesses all day long every day, seven days a
week, twenty-four hours a day.He does not like the government
regulating businesses.He wants to keep it as minimal as
possible.He stated earlier that it is all about limiting the
government.When sitting in this chair he also has to think
about how the city functions and how we have to control our
zoning issues and these type of things and regulate within our
city.It seems just a little bit like the state in a lot of
issues, the state legislature and the governor, are usurping
their authority and imposing regulations upon the cities that
are limiting our ability to function.Just as you said earlier
about the buses.He knows it was an example and it was a broad
example about the city coming up with $200,000 to fund a busing
route.There are a lot of things that the state is doing to us
that limit the way that we can collect money.And one of them
on the docket right now is SB2484 which has to do with the sales
tax on food.He could take a look at it and see what it is all
about.But, as he knows, in Apache Junction we do not have any
property tax.All we do is fund the majority of our budget
through sales tax and we are not the only city that does tax
food but if that bill were to pass it would even further limit
our ability to provide services to our community and our
citizens.Those are the types of things he wants him to really
take a hard look at and think about where he does not like, his
sitting as a senator of Arizona, as representing District 16, he
does not like the federal government telling him how to run the
state.It is kind of the same thing.He can only speak for
himself.He really does not like the state coming down and
putting more and more regulations on the city or even taking
away our ability to perform the functions that we have to have.
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There are a number of bills, they have been mentioned here
already, dealing with the home -based businesses and then the
taxing of food and the production of food.And then there is
another one that deals with, talks about, passed last year about
being able to have the violations of the city come forth through
the attorney general.The bill this year will hopefully correct
that.He wants him to think about how those bills that are
being put forth and that he might be voting on really, truly
effect the citizens and the city that he represents.He will
throw it out there that if he ever has any questions about how
something might affect Apache Junction, which is one of the
cities he represents, he has his cell phone number and he can
always give him a call and they can talk about those things.
Senator David Farnsworth thanked him and said he appreciated
that.SB1001 and SB1002 are basically to get their attention.
SB1002 is not going to go anywhere.He met with the League
during the summer and they modified it and pretty much stripped
the bill.It is still not going to go but he asked that they
please look at it.Their points are well taken.In the Arizona
Constitution it says the proper role of government is to protect
the liberty of the people and he thinks sometimes they lose
sight of that.He feels his job is to protect the liberty of
the people from whoever is taking it away, whether it is the
federal government, state government, county government or city
government, it is his sacred duty to protect the liberty of the
people.He will make mistakes so he appreciates their counsel
on that.
Mayor Serdy commented they are going to get too lengthy if they
all ask questions.Representative Townsend already had to go.
He wanted to let him know that when they are meeting about the
north/south corridor it is pretty much favored that they would
want it as far to the east as possible, over by Silly Mountain
Road where the freeway ends.We definitely do not want it
cutting right through the center at Ironwood.Ironwood is
already there.We really need it to be over there to the left.
Also, when he is talking to State Land if there is anything he
can do to make that freed up as easy as possible.He knows he
is meeting with State Land at every opportunity.They wanted to
go into sales tax reform.He knows a bill got put through that
was supposed to make it simpler and it has been a nightmare for
the cities, the staff at the capitol and for the individual
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businesses.He knows they had talked about possibly breaking
out into some round tables with some businesses to hear their
horror stories.He has had them himself.He has been fined
$1,800 by paying with a check.He has done it for seventeen
years and now all at once, but they took his fine as a check.
That was funny.Maybe we can meet another time and they can
have that.He asked the city clerk if she had anything to add.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly stated she did not.She thinks a
round table is an excellent idea.For the benefit of the
senator, she has been doing this for a long time.She thinks
the state is missing out on some very important opportunities by
not liening businesses that have been audited.Some of these
are foreign companies, some of these are out-of-state companies.
From what the department of revenue has told us they simply do
not place liens.When we collected our own taxes we were very
successful in getting our money by placing liens.
Senator David Farnsworth thanked her and stated he will note
that in the finance committee that he chairs a week from
tomorrow.Senator Fann has a bill on this subject.He does not
remember the bill number but he would suggest she take a look at
it and give us some advice.She says it will make it a little
bit better.He shares her concerns.
Mayor Serdy requested the assistant city manager to pay
attention.He and Anna McCray can use the monitor.
Councilmember Barker asked if this is a house bill.
Senator David Farnsworth stated he does not know if there is a
mirror house bill.
Councilmember Barker commented HB2137 has $8 million for
auditors, collectors and fraud prevention.
Senator David Farnsworth stated he believes that is a different
bill.Senator Fann assures him, she lobbied him today, to put
it on the agenda.She assures it will make it better.The best
policy is to not trust anyone, even a very fine, intelligent
person like Senator Fann.Please look at it and let him know
how you feel or, better yet, come down.If they do not have
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time to come down, sign up on the request to speak and send a
message.That does have an impact.He guarantees it.
Mayor Serdy commented Representative Townsend had to leave.
City Manager Bryant Powell stated she did have to leave.They
can connect up later.They may want to talk about getting a
round table some time later.
Councilmember Barker asked Representative Coleman to address the
bill that Councilmember Struble spoke of, that is HB2484 of
which he is a sponsor.
Representative Doug Coleman asked which one that is.
Councilmember Barker commented that is the one that regulates
taxing of food and digital goods in cities and towns.
Representative Doug Coleman asked if he could give his spiel
first.When they are dropping bills, they bring a stack of
bills to you and they briefly explain it to you and you may or
may not get the full picture.Obviously, he did not get that
picture.But he still has his vote.He commented on some of
the issues in the city when he was on the council.He thanked
those on the council that contact him when they have concerns.
Councilmember Struble texts him all the time to please look at
these bills.
Councilmember Struble commented he actually answered him once
when he was standing in line at Disneyland.He appreciated
that.
Representative Doug Coleman stated if he does not answer right
away sometimes he forgets.He appreciates that and appreciates
the input on those things.He briefed them on some bills
concerning making city elections part of an election that died
in committee and preempting cities from using photo radar,
discussions on state -shared revenues, cities being political
subdivisions of the state, the state government interjecting
itself into local issues like zoning issues, local streets and
city budget.There are some things that are statewide issues
such as the minimum wage.He is vice chair of the education
committee and chair of the government committee.The local and
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international affairs committee is where many local bills are
sent.They are not sent to him because he thinks they know he
will kill them.
Councilmember Struble commented he appreciated everything he
does.There is a bill that he does not know the number of that
is in the budget where they sweep the HURF funds and use them
for the state highway patrol and all that.
Councilmember Barker commented it is HB1433.
Councilmember Struble commented now they have a bill out there
that is going to add an additional fee to our car registrations
to help pay for those services that the money has been swept to
pay for and then those, therefore, theoretically, the cities and
counties will get that money that we were supposed to be getting
in the first place.This seems kind of backwards.He does not
think the state needs more money, it is just about spending the
money in the right way.He asked that he keep an eye on that.
He asked Councilmember Barker if she had that bill.
Councilmember Barker commented she did not.She asked if he is
talking about the alternative fuels vehicle registration bill.
Councilmember Struble commented he is not.It is to add a
special fee on the registration.
Representative Doug Coleman stated it is kind of interesting
because at the state it takes a simple majority to cut taxes but
it takes a two-thirds majority to raise any kind of revenue.He
had a bill that allowed teachers to pay for their certificates
using a debit or credit card.Before that we had to use a
cashier's check, personal check or money order.That one almost
did not pass because of the bank fees.We were raising fees so
it took two-thirds.He had to work like a dog to get members to
understand it is better to have to pay fifty cents for a bank
fee than $2.50 to buy a money order rather than come back to
Apache Junction to get my personal checkbook.
Councilmember Struble commented it is one of those things that
if we add on that fee then it is just another fee for the
governor to sweep to use for other things and it will never go
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to what it is supposed to be used for.He asked him to take a
look at that bill.
Representative Doug Coleman stated he appreciates all that the
governor does.He has to balance a whole lot of things.
Councilmember Waldron commented he was at a meeting the other
day where there is a push to actually have the Arizona
Department of Transportation director set that fee so they can
go a simple majority as opposed to two-thirds.It would be a
fee he would assess and not a tax, a fee assessed by the
legislature.
Councilmember Struble commented it would be a fee and not a tax.
Councilmember Waldron commented that is correct.
Councilmember Struble asked if they would not have to go to Jeff
Roberts to get that one clarified.
Councilmember Barker commented HB2433 has to deal with HURF,
too.It would take 3% of the HURF funds and redistribute them
to cities and towns.That seems counterproductive.It is
pitting cities against one another.
Representative Doug Coleman asked if she thought that was a good
strategy.Divide and conquer.
Councilmember Barker commented it seems to her that the
Department of Public Safety has to be funded in another way and
let HURF go where it is supposed to.Pitting cities against one
another is not the answer.
Mayor Serdy commented he will just stress the two things he did
with the senator about the north/south corridor, that he thinks
they would all want it to be further left or east.
Representative Doug Coleman asked what about Idaho.
Mayor Serdy commented Idaho would be better than Ironwood but
the end of the freeway would be better.
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City Manager Bryant Powell stated that is part of the federal
highway system.It either has to be Ironwood or be further
east.
Representative Doug Coleman stated he was thinking State Route
88 and send it on south.
Assistant City Manager Matt Busby stated one of your
constituents, the City of Mesa, is fighting for the Ironwood
route, but we like the Mountain View alignment.
Representative Doug Coleman stated he is with them.
Mayor Serdy commented he would like him to keep them at the
table with State Land.
Representative Doug Coleman stated he has a bill that barely
made it out of committee.Right now a state legislator or
someone in a statewide position can transfer their campaign
funds to a local race.He has a bill that will allow city
officials to transfer their funds to run for statewide race.
Councilmember Struble commented that was taken away last year.
Representative Doug Coleman stated that was taken away a couple
of years ago.It is meeting some resistance but it did make it
out of committee.He threw down at the League Conference that
he not only needs their help, they need them to run for office.
He really believes that.
City Manager Bryant Powell stated they signed on to support it.
He thanked the state legislators for coming down and being with
us.They look to have opportunities to interact with them this
legislative session.Maybe next year we will have another way
to pull us all together.He then invited Chris Coyle up from
Republic Waste Services to introduce the new general manager at
the landfill and give a brief presentation on the implementation
of the ordinance of the new changes with Republic Waste
Services.
Mr. Chris Coyle, former general manager of the Republic Waste
Services for this area, introduced Marieke Curley.
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Ms. Marieke Curley, general manager for the East Valley
operations, gave a brief presentation on her career with
Republic Services.
Mr. Chris Coyle gave a brief presentation on the implementation
of the conditions of the ordinance.Everything was completed on
time or ahead of schedule.
Mayor Serdy asked how they determine city residents because the
Apache Junction post office boxes go all the way to Ellsworth.
Mr. Chris Coyle stated they look at the water bill or a city
invoice.
City Manager Bryant Powell state they have also had some
instances of folks getting upset so they are constantly working
on an education piece from the front end.We have got
geographic information system maps that really show our
incorporated limits and he thinks that has helped over the last
year or so.
Mr. Chris Coyle stated it has.As far as the over -reaction,
that has helped, too, along with the auxiliary police force
coming out and Chief Kelly helping out.He briefed them on the
groundwater monitoring.
Mayor Serdy asked if they are venting methane.
Mr. Chris Coyle stated they do not vent any methane.They
capture it all.That is what the flare is for.They have
blowers that put a vacuum on our active wells and all the gas
fumes go to our flare where the methane gas is destroyed.It is
burned at a temperature above 1,400°F so all the gas is
captured.Each year they have some type of landfill gas well
construction event and as the waste ages enough, they need to
put in wells to capture it.
Mayor Serdy commented it is not capturing it, it is burning it.
Mr. Chris Coyle stated it is being destroyed.
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City Manager Bryant Powell stated because this other question
comes up on the methane, he asked if our landfill is ever going
to have enough to produce energy.
Mr. Chris Coyle stated probably not.Right now the landfill is
running 24 /7 and it is producing about 400 in standard cubic
feet per minute.The economics for landfill gas to energy plant
start at about 3,000 standard cubic feet per minute.We are at
12% or 15% of the way there.
Mayor Serdy commented we need the horse community to kick it up
some.
Mr. Chris Coyle stated we need the horse community, about 35
inches of rain a year, good rotten garbage and happy bugs.That
is really what it is.You need happy bugs at a landfill to get
really good gas out of it.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL EVENT
LIQUOR LICENSE FOR COMMUNITY
ALLIANCE AGAINST FAMILY ABUSE FOR
MARCH 17, 2018
)City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly briefed the council on the item.
Mayor Serdy requested the
applicant address the council.
Ms. Sharon Stinard,
representing Community Alliance Against Family Abuse, addressed
the council.The event will be their 2018 Gold Nugget Trail
Run, 5K and 10K, and will include family fun activities for
adults and children.There will be cowboys and horses and there
will be a live DJ and beer garden.They will also have a photo
booth.They are delighted the community supports this and the
city has always been a strong supporter of the organization.
They will also raise awareness of domestic violence and sexual
assault.
Mayor Serdy opened the public
hearing on the item.There being no one wishing to speak, he
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closed the public hearing and reopened the item to council
discussion.There being no further discussion, he called for a
motion.
Councilmember Rizzi MOVED
THAT THE APPLICATION FOR A SPECIAL EVENT LIQUOR LICENSE FOR
COMMUNITY ALLIANCE AGAINST FAMILY ABUSE FOR MARCH 17, 2018,
SUBMITTED BY ABIGAIL POYER, BE RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL TO THE
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR LICENSES AND CONTROL.
Vice Mayor Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION OF THE
JANUARY 16, 2018 RECOMMENDATION
FOR DENIAL TO THE ARIZONA
DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR LICENSES
AND CONTROL FOR PIZZA HUT
)City Clerk Kathleen
Connelly briefed the council on the item.
Mayor Serdy commented Mr.
Suniga can speak also if they need him to.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated they might want to speak to him.
Mayor Serdy commented they
cannot do it all tonight.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated they cannot do their final vote tonight but they can
select their date, time and location.She would recommend it be
their next immediate meeting.They have gotten an extension
from the state that would take them beyond the next meeting.
Mayor Serdy asked the
applicant to address the council.
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Ms. Theresa Morse, agent for
Pizza Hut, addressed the council.This is the same business
that it was before.She appreciates some of the feedback she
received this evening but when she spoke with Kathy.On the
basis of the denial she reached out to the fire district.She
then discovered there was an error in the information.She
hoped they would be willing to reschedule this and she will come
back out here again.Pizza Hut has implemented a trust as many
of the baby boomers are putting their spouses on businesses and
that is what created the acquisition of control.She was a
police officer for 26 years, serving her final 13 years at state
liquor as a sergeant.She is the agent on many licenses.
Mayor Serdy commented she has
stopped the permitting process until she gets a go ahead from
us.
Ms. Theresa Morse stated
basically she explained the process for extending the time frame
to Kathy when she spoke with her.That application is still
setting at the state liquor department.It is not a different
liquor license.It is the identical, same license that was
there previously.That is why it is called an acquisition of
control.Her technician at state liquor received the
information from Kathy to extend the time frame so it is still
operating and everything is fine.If the council is willing to
provide them with a new date, she will come back out here and it
will not interfere with the process.
Mayor Serdy asked if the
council would like to hear from the fire department.
Councilmember Struble
commented he has a question about the process.He is kind of
new up here.The process that we have is that these liquor
licenses come before us and it is, at times if we do not approve
it, they can still take it to the liquor board and still be
approved.He asked if our denial is a denial.
Ms. Theresa Morse stated
basically when the city council makes a recommendation for
denial then it has to go in front of the liquor board which is
separate from the department of liquor.The liquor board
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 17 OF 49
members are 7 people that are appointed by the governor to hear
new liquor applications.If the council denies this item, it
will have to go to the liquor board which is unfortunate because
the information was incorrect.It is not a new license.They
could pull that out and put it back in as it was before.It is
kind of silly but there are 21 different types of licenses.
This is just a different type.
Councilmember Struble
commented he is trying to understand the process.He asked when
the liquor board meets.
Ms. Theresa Morse stated they
meet once a month.
Councilmember Struble
commented she could have taken this information and said the
fire district was in error.He asked if she could do that.
Ms. Theresa Morse stated she
cannot.The attorney general's office would hear the item and
they are the ones that basically speak on behalf of the
department of liquor.The city attorney from Apache Junction
would have to be there to support his denial.It seems to be a
lot of time to her for something that transpired the way that it
did.She apologized for not being here at the first meeting but
she had lost a couple of people in her family.
Councilmember Struble
commented he totally understands.He just wanted to get the
process reviewed.
Ms. Theresa Morse stated that
it is complicated.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated that is the correct process.He has been down to the
liquor board.And he thinks the legislature is bad.It is an
amazing experience.There are only 3 to 5 attorneys in the
state that handle liquor licenses for the private sector.It is
a great monopoly for some attorneys.The city attorney is there
and they do not like attorneys except if it is private sector.
They do like to see council members.That has been requested in
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 18 OF 49
the past for future reference.They are supposed to set up a
meeting, notice the applicant and the city and then they go down
there and fight it out.Many times the liquor board has not
cared about the city opinion.That has been his experience.
But they do have to set a hearing.Mr. Struble can come with
him the next time he has to go down there.
Mayor Serdy opened the public
hearing.He asked if they can have someone from the fire
department come up and speak.
Deputy Fire Marshal John
Suniga commented the first time he heard about this was when he
got an email stating the approval had been denied because of his
documentation.When he got that he thought that was not right.
There is nothing wrong with Pizza Hut at all.He went back and
pulled up his letter and found he had denied it.The only thing
he could come up with was there was a lot of stuff going on at
that time.He does a lot of his work off of a template letter.
He probably got pulled away and came back to it and sent it off.
He did pull up the records on his last inspection.There were
absolutely no violations.He corrected that letter and resent
it back to Kathy.
Mayor Serdy closed the public
hearing with no one else wishing to speak and reopened the item
to council discussion.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
stated this is a two-part motion.The first one is yes or no on
whether or not they want the reconsideration.If that is a yes,
then the second motion is to pick a date, time and location for
the public hearing.
Mayor Serdy closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Barker MOVED
THAT WE RECONSIDER THE JANUARY 16, 2018 RECOMMENDATION FOR
DENIAL TO THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF LIQUOR LICENSES AND CONTROL
FOR PIZZA HUT'S APPLICATION FOR AN ACQUISITION OF CONTROL AT 240
S. PHELPS DRIVE.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 19 OF 49
Vice Mayor Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Mayor Serdy called for the
second motion.
Councilmember Evans MOVED
THAT WE HAVE THE RECONSIDERATION OF PIZZA HUT'S APPLICATION FOR
AN ACQUISITION OF CONTROL AT 240 S. PHELPS AT THE REGULAR
MEETING OF FEBURARY 20, 2018 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE CITY COUNCIL
CHAMBERS.
Vice Mayor Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 18-03, CASE SD -1-14,
REQUEST BY BELLA CORONA LLC FOR
APPROVAL OF FINAL SUBDIVISION PLAT
FOR THE BELLA CORONA SUBDIVISION )
)Senior Planner Rudy
Esquivias briefed the council on the item.
Councilmember Evans asked if
Hudd Hassell has spoken about who he will have doing the
vertical build.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated Mr. Hassell is here tonight if she would like to ask him.
Councilmember Evans asked if
the houses that face the other street are going to get hit with
two homeowner association fees.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated they are not.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 20 OF 49
Councilmember Evans commented
it is already recorded as such that they are.Even though it is
a gated community they will have houses that are not within
that.She was wondering how they were going to handle that.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated this part of the property was never part of the
Renaissance Point Subdivision.This has always been a separate
property.It was originally part of the continuum of care
campus.Those that front on 20th Avenue will still pay
homeowner association fees to Bella Corona.
Mayor Serdy requested the
applicant address the council.
Mr. Hudd Hassell, 1635 N.
Greenfield Road, Mesa, addressed the council.The builder will
be Bela Flora Communities which is their company.
Councilmember Evans commented
they will also be doing the vertical.
are doing it now.
they would be doing it soon.
tractors are on site now.
when do they expect completion.
Mr. Hudd Hassell stated they
Councilmember Evans asked if
Mr. Hudd Hassell stated the
Councilmember Struble asked
Mr. Hudd Hassell stated the 7
homes that face 20th Avenue will be started right away as they
build out the rest of the subdivision.They should see
verticality on the first 7 within the next two months.
City Manager Bryant Powell
asked if they are single-family homes and if they are age
restricted.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 21 OF 49
Mr. Hudd Hassell stated they
are not age restricted and they are single-family detached
homes.He is pretty sure that Rudy was an auctioneer at
Barrett -Jackson last week.The city staff is amazing.This is
a little gem.They selfishly guard all the things they do here
because they love working with Apache Junction so much,
especially Bryant Powell.
Councilmember Barker thanked
him for putting the recreation area on the west side because the
folks over there were really concerned about having houses
there.
Mr. Hudd Hassell stated the
word from Rudy was do not mess with it or you will get crushed,
so they left it.
Mayor Serdy opened the public
hearing on the item.
Mr. Fred Larrowie, he lives
in Renaissance Point and is on the board of directors for the
homeowners' association, addressed the council.Several
community members have expressed concern over this community.
It was mentioned there was community input in 2010.He has
owned his property since 2007 and he was not informed of any
input regarding that property as others have not.He does not
know how it was given to the residents.He requested an
explanation on how that was given to the community.He was
concerned about the process being started in 2010 and they are
just now developing it in 2018.He suggested another notice
should be sent out advising of the community.He was concerned
about the additional traffic at the entrance to their community,
Delaware and Ironwood and if a light would be put in at their
entrance.The people moving in might be concerned about the
daily medical helicopter flights overhead.It sounds like most
of the council is excited about this new community.
Mayor Serdy asked the city
manager if he wanted to address any of those.
City Manager Bryant Powell
stated they can get that data out to the neighbors.He asked
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 22 OF 49
Development Services Director Larry Kirch and Senior Planner
Rudy Esquivias to assist.He thinks the request was about
finding out what happened in 2010.They will clarify it.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated typically, not everyone in Renaissance Point
would have been notified.It would have been properties within
300' of that property.Usually, through the grapevine, people
will hear about that.They can go back and look at the file and
the file of all the mailing labels.They can contact the
homeowners' association and show them copies of mailing labels
of who got notified in 2010.Overall, there are 35 fewer homes
in the development, the lots are a little bit bigger, so there
is, in terms of traffic and everything else if this had gone in
back in in the day, there would have been 117 homes instead of
82.
City Manager Bryant Powell
asked what the zoning density was prior to the rezoning.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated Rudy would have to check that.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated it was multi -family.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated they are happy to work with homeowners'
association folks to let them know who was actually notified
back in 2010.
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
they might also want to explain exactly what the requirement is
and how it is worded in the law, that we have to contact the
people within 300' of the development.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
she does not remember if Gail was on the planning and zoning
commission back then but she was.People from the Renaissance
Point subdivision did come out.There was notification and she
is sure it was within the limits.She remembers specifically
people did come out to the planning and zoning meeting to talk
to us about their concerns.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 23 OF 49
Councilmember Barker
commented and to add to that they also came to the council
because that is where the concern about housing on the west side
came from.There was one specific gentleman whose house is the
last house to the south line, whatever that street is there, and
he felt like he would have a house that would be right on top of
his driveway.It would come right out almost into that new
neighborhood.We had quite a few people come.
An unknown female, 1951 W.
21st Avenue, Apache Junction, addressed the council.She is on
the west side, the third house down.They bought the house in
2015.They started leveling her property the other day where
her mountain view out the front door is.She asked if they are
two-story homes.She was told they would be.Their whole
subdivision is one-story homes and the subdivision next to them.
She asked what happens to her mountain view.It may sound silly
but she came from where there are no mountains.Superstition
Mountain is beautiful.She was told where to look things up on
the website and she is shocked.She was told to contact Bella
Corona but came to the meeting instead.She commented on a
subdivision where they had to dig basements.She is sad that
she will be looking at houses instead of the mountain.She
asked if the exit on Palo Verde will be gated.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated both the 20th Avenue and Palo Verde gates are clicker
gates.
The unknown female commented
those are both her streets.She is just giving them her
concerns.
Mayor Serdy closed the public
hearing with no one else wishing to speak.He reopened the item
to council discussion.
Councilmember Waldron
commented when this was Foothills I the rooftop was 26'.This
is 28'.That does not make the difference between a single and
a double story.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 24 OF 49
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated it does not.They can build a two-story house in the 26'
range.
Councilmember Waldron
commented it has been that way since Foothills I back in the
rezoning days.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that is correct.
Councilmember Waldron
commented nothing has changed in that respect.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated it has not.
Mayor Serdy closed the
discussion with no further comments and called for a motion.
Councilmember Evans MOVED
THAT RESOLUTION NO. 18-03, A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY
COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APACHE JUNCTION, ARIZIONA, APPROVING A
FINAL SUBDIVISION PLAT FOR "BELLA CORONA" SUBDIVISION, IN CASE
SD -1-14, BY BELLA CORONA LLC, REPRESENTED BY HUDD HASSELL, BE
APPROVED.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
(During the vote Councilmember Barker commented she thinks
realtors should have to disclose information like that.)
(During the vote Councilmember Evans commented for clarification
that sometimes realtors are not aware of what happened in the
past and it is up to the owners who are reselling to disclose.)
The motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 1458, CASE PZ-5-17,
REQUEST BY SUPERSTITION
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 25 OF 49
MOUNTAINS COMMUNITY FACILITIES
DISTRICT NO. 1 TO REZONE 97.18
ACRES LOCATED AT 5661 S. IRONWOOD,
SOUTHEAST OF IRONWOOD AND
GUADALUPE, FROM INDUSTRIAL AND
GENERAL RURAL LOW DENSITY SINGLE-
FAMILY DETACHED RESIDENTIAL TO
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONAL BY PLANNED
DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF
UNIFORMLY ZONING THE EXISTING
PROPERTIES AND EXPANDING
WASTEWATER RELATED ACTIVITIES
)Planning Intern Danielle
Jordan briefed the council on the item.
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
he is confused on the entrance property.He asked if the
landscaping is being proposed for the intersection on Ironwood
or on the parcel they have acquired.
Planning Intern Danielle
Jordan stated they do not own the entry parcel right now.Pinal
County currently owns the land.They use it to get to their
land.The sewer district has expressed interest in acquiring
that land from Pinal County.If they do that, the city would
like to see landscaping there.
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
it is only if they do acquire it.
Planning Intern Danielle
Jordan stated that is correct.That is where that condition
comes from.If they acquire that land they have one year to
meet the landscaping and monumentation requirements.At the
planning and zoning commission meeting it came to light that
other entities such as Central Arizona Project have also
expressed interest in owning that land.Darron can probably
talk about it a little bit more.Even if they do not get the
parcel they would still like to do landscaping to make it look
nice.
Mayor Serdy requested the
applicant address the council.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 26 OF 49
Mr. Darron Anglin, District
Manager, addressed the council.They do want to combine and
rezone the properties.The expansion would be for recharge-
related uses on the outer perimeter.They and Central Arizona
Project are interested in buying that: parcel and it could also
go back as right-of-way to the city.That may have been the
intent from the beginning when Ironwood was constructed.They
want to landscape it and beautify it with the competition across
the street from the water treatment plant.
Mayor Serdy opened the public
hearing on the item.There being no one wishing to speak, he
closed the public hearing and reopened the item to council
discussion.There being no further discussion, he called for a
motion.
Councilmember Rizzi MOVED
THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1458 BE READ BY TITLE ONLY AND THE READING OF
THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE BE WAIVED.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
read the ordinance by title only.
Councilmember Evans MOVED
THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1458, AS READ BY THE CITY CLERK, BE APPROVED
AND ADOPTED.
Vice Mayor Wilson
SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
Mayor Serdy called for a five
minute break.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 27 OF 49
Mayor Serdy reconvened the
meeting.
ORDINANCE NO. 1459, CASE PZ-6-17,
REQUEST BY J&J PROPERTY HOLDINGS
LLC AND AMERICANA BUILDING
PRODUCTS TO REZONE A +/- 8 ACRE
PROPERTY LOCATED JUST NORTH OF
THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF TOMAHAWK
AND BASELINE FROM GENERAL RURAL
LOW DENSITY SINGLE-FAMILY
DETACHED RESIDENTIAL AND
INDUSTRIAL TO INDUSTRIAL BY
PLANNED DEVELOPMENT FOR THE
PURPOSE OF DEVELOPING A 90,000
SQUARE FOOT INDOOR MANUFACTURING
FACILITY WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF
FUTURE EXPANSION
)Senior Planner Rudy
Esquivias briefed the council on the item.
Councilmember Struble asked
what the zoning is for the state land south of this development.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated it is currently zoned RS-GR.It is an old county holding
zone.GR generally means 1.25 acre lots for horses,
conventional homes or manufactured homes.
City Manager Bryant Powell
stated that existed there when we became a city.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that is correct.What we have done over the years is to
implement the current general plan which has a master planned
community designation.The general plan is calling that whole
area south of Baseline as a master planned community.They do
have some verbiage in our zoning ordinance that talks about what
goes into a master planned community but until somebody comes
along and buys some of that state land and proposes to rezone
it, it is still zoned GR.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 28 OF 49
City Manager Bryant Powell
stated when they work with State Land that is exactly the
condition they want the zoning to be in.
Councilmember Evans commented
he said the sign could be a multi -tenant sign.She asked if
everything would have to be contained within that large metal
building.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
asked her if she meant more than one business allowed in the
metal building.
Councilmember Evans commented
that is correct.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that or a future expanded building.
Councilmember Evans commented
but they would be enclosed, not outdoor industrial.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated outdoor storage or uses are not planned as part of this
rezoning proposal.
Councilmember Evans commented
the powder coating business itself, understanding that the
Environmental Protection Agency and all of those have to be a
factor, but there was one thing not mentioned.She asked if
there is any noise involved in where it abuts the neighborhood.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated Mr. Purcell is here and might be able to explain that
better.They did hear from some neighbors at the planning and
zoning hearing and they had concerns about the particulate
matter that might escape from the building.It has been
represented to us that everything will be indoor.Mr. Purcell
has described it as a light manufacturing -type of facility that
would not cause significant noise, odor or other disturbances to
the surrounding neighborhood.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 29 OF 49
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
she heard correctly when he said the county could actually deed
over a little piece of property to the city.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated a right-of-way.
Councilmember Rizzi asked if
it would need to include an intergovernmental agreement or
anything.They can just deed it over.
Senior Planner Rudy Esquivias
stated that is correct.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated it is a simple affidavit.The council has to approve it
and then the board of supervisors at a noticed hearing.
However, it is that simple for roadways.
Councilmember Rizzi commented
it is very interesting how that works between governments.
Mayor Serdy requested the
applicant address the council.
Mr. Jeff Purcell, Americana
Building Products, 2 Industrial Drive, Salem, Illinois,
addressed the council.He stated they currently have a facility
in Mesa that they are leasing, PW Athletic, that they acquired
five years ago.They have been enjoying the warm weather for
the last five years and he enjoys coming out here in the winter.
He was willing to answer any questions as they are running late
and he does not want to take up too much of their time.
Mayor Serdy commented he
explained in private once but he asked him the amount of jobs
that are already existing and the new jobs created.
Mr. Jeff Purcell stated they
currently have about 25 employees at the Mesa facility and they
would be moved to this location along with all the existing
equipment.They are acquiring an additional $1 million in
equipment of which most will go into this building.The bulk of
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 30 OF 49
the cost will be in the power tooling facility.They got into
coatings in the mid -90s.Part of their manufacturing process is
steel and aluminum extrusion that need to be coated.They
decided if they were going to do it they would get into the most
environmentally conscience way possible.They did extensive
research.Fiber -coating was not new but it was becoming very
popular at the time.There were new technology improvements in
it.It made it very acceptable for them to get into it.
Volatile organic compounds in liquid paint are not very nice.
You can smell the odors and it is not good to breathe.The good
thing about powder coating is there are essentially zero
volatile organic compounds.There are no liquid compounds.
They are granulated plastic powders and resins.That is then
fluidized with air, pumped up into a gun which electrostatically
charges the particles which are almost like talcum powder.They
are blown out of the gun creating a fine, little cloud that can
be hard to see.The cloud is charged positively and the ground
is negative so the particles are attracted to the metal and
stick right to it.They will have a grand opening tour and he
invited the council to tour the facility and see how these
processes work.The people inside will wear a dust suit with a
hood of supplied air.They could wear as little as a dust mask
but they prefer they wear the whole thing as they do not want it
in their eyes.The overspray that does not get onto the parts
is collected by a dust collector, goes through some filters and
the powder that is not used is dropped into a barrel.They can
reuse some of the powder depending on how they have cleaned out
the system or it is packaged, compressed and landfilled.It is
essentially granulated plastic.
Mayor Serdy commented they
are not only going to powder coat their own products but they
can contract to other companies.
Mr. Jeff Purcell stated that
is correct.Eighty percent of the work they do there will
probably be contracted to other area manufacturers.The economy
is picking up and they are seeing a lot of growth in this type
of thing.The good thing is the manufacturers like coating
operations to be near them to eliminate their transportation
costs.There is the possibility they could always attract
additional light manufacturers to this city.They could look
for growth and set aside some additional area for industrial
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 31 OF 49
growth.They could perhaps carve out some industrial areas in
some of the state land holdings.Especially next to the
landfill.
Mayor Serdy commented for him
this project is almost as exciting as the Fry's because of what
it could lead to in the future.
Mr. Jeff Purcell stated they
currently have 25 employees in the powder coating facility in
Illinois.They expect the growth here to be at least that if
not considerably more.They have a significantly higher amount
of manufacturing here.They are in a rural area 75 miles east
of St. Louis.He added the city staff has been amazing.It has
been a very pleasant process to go through.Rudy, Larry, Bryant
and Stephanie have magnificently guided us through all the steps
and they have been very pleased.The city has excellent staff
here.
Councilmember Struble asked
if he is closing down the Mesa operation.
Mr. Jeff Purcell stated they
are currently in a leased facility.That owner is probably
going to consider selling that property at some point.They are
at Main and Gilbert which is right where the new light rail
ends.It is a good area to develop future properties.
Councilmember Struble asked
what the average wage is for the workers.
Mr. Jeff Purcell stated they
are a family -run company, third generation.He gave a brief
history of the formation of the company.They have a lot of
family members and they treat their employees like family.They
pay good wages and have a lot of skilled laborers.They are
investing heavily in computer -controlled machinery that
automates a lot of processes so they need those operators.They
need CDL truck drivers.They have loaders and unloaders on the
line.They promote from within.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 32 OF 49
Councilmember Struble asked
if this is something they can work within the high school and
community college.
Mr. Jeff Purcell stated it
is.They are very active with local academics and sports
programs.The PD Athletics division makes sports equipment.
They support local community sports and academics.They have an
academic foundation for their high school which supports
academic projects.He spent three years as the president.They
give tours of the facility and he has already met the
superintendent of schools here in Apache Junction.He has
expressed the desire to set up a similar program here,
coordinated with their guidance.During the tour they are
brought to each of the different skilled employees and have them
give a talk on the education requirements, what their job is and
what they might expect to do in their lives.
Mayor Serdy asked if he
foresees any of the employees relocating out this way.
Mr. Jeff Purcell stated he
has already had a number of employees start looking around.He
thinks that will happen.
Mayor Serdy opened the public
hearing on the item.There being no one wishing to speak, he
closed the public hearing and reopened the item to council
discussion.There being no further discussion, he called for a
motion.
Vice Mayor Wilson MOVED THAT
ORDINANCE NO. 1459 BE READ BY TITLE ONLY AND THE READING OF THE
ENTIRE ORDINANCE BE WAIVED.
Councilmember Rizzi SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 33 OF 49
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
read the ordinance by title only.
Councilmember Rizzi MOVED
THAT ORDINANCE NO. 1459, AS READ BY THE CITY CLERK, BE APPROVED.
Vice Mayor Wilson SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
ORDINANCE NO. 1457, CASE PZ-4-17,
REQUEST BY DAVID DIXON TO REZONE
A 1.62 ACRE PROPERTY LOCATED AT
611 S. VISTA FROM GENERAL RURAL
LOW DENSITY SINGLE-FAMILY
RESIDENTIAL TO GENERAL RURAL LOW
DENSITY SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL
BY PLANNED DEVELOPMENT FOR THE
PURPOSE OF CHANGING THE MAIN
STRUCTURE SIDE YARD SETBACK FROM
20 FEET TO 10 FEET
)Assistant Planner
Stephanie Bubenheim briefed the council on the item.
Councilmember Struble asked
what happens if they do not approve this.
Assistant Planner Stephanie
Bubenheim stated if they do not approve the rezoning request the
property will stay the RS-GR zoning and it would have to meet
the 20' setback.The property owner still has a code violation
of the structure built without permits so it would be up to the
owner if he would like to reconstruct the home meeting the 20'
setback.She is not sure if he has another option.
Councilmember Barker asked
what kind of teeth does the number four recommendation have if
he does not comply with the 90 days and the plan has gone
through development services.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 34 OF 49
Assistant Planner Stephanie
Bubenheim stated if the number four recommendation is not met in
that 90 days the city can reconvene, she believes it would go to
the city council, to revert the rezoning back to the RS-GR.It
would take away all of these recommended, approved planned
development conditions.From there is would be another notice
of violation for what has been happening.
Councilmember Barker
commented and then it goes on for months as we notice and notice
and notice.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated if he does not meet the 90 days the zoning division would
notify him, it would go before planning and zoning first and
then to the council for basically a reversion of the zoning.It
would then go back to what it currently is and he is in trouble
again for zoning code violations.It shall be applied for
within 90 days but it does not say he has to build it within 90
days.It just says he has to get a permit within 90 days.
Typically building permits are good for six months and then they
can get a renewal for another six months.
Councilmember Evans asked if
they can make it a condition that it be sooner than that.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated they may.
Councilmember Evans asked if
there was a permit pulled for the accessory building that is on
the property.
Assistant Planner Stephanie
Bubenheim stated there was a permit to place that.
Councilmember Evans asked if
it has electrical and all of that to it or is it just a
building.
Assistant Planner Stephanie
Bubenheim stated she would have to check what the approval is
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 35 OF 49
for.She believes it was in 2006.She would have to see if it
approved electrical as well.
Councilmember Evans asked if
they know who built the structure that surrounded the mobile
originally.She understands it went in phases from his father
to who was doing the most current work.
Assistant Planner Stephanie
Bubenheim stated she would have Mr. Dixon answer that question
as to who has been constructing currently.The city does not
have any records of the building so we have no information on
who has been constructing it.
Councilmember Evans commented
Mr. Dixon is living on the property in a travel trailer
currently.
Assistant Planner Stephanie
Bubenheim stated that is correct.
Councilmember Evans commented
he is using the kitchen and restroom.They were not originally
there when the mobile was there but it is the same septic tank
and of that from the 1964 era.
Assistant Planner Stephanie
Bubenheim stated the septic tank is still there and in use.At
the planning and zoning commission meeting Mr. Dixon did state
he is using the kitchen and bathroom out of the current
structure.
Councilmember Evans commented
they are not allowed to live in a travel trailer on property
whether you own it or not.She asked if that is correct.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated there are some exceptions to that, as there is with
everything.Typically, the answer is correct.Larry can come
up if he wants to talk about the exceptions.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 36 OF 49
Councilmember Evans commented
there is a permit process you can go through for a temporary
while during construction.
stated that is correct.
none of that was done.
Bubenheim stated it was not.
City Attorney Joel Stern
Councilmember Evans commented
Assistant Planner Stephanie
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated there is no record of any permits.
Councilmember Evans commented
he has not done anything.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated there is no record of the permits.
Councilmember Waldron
commented he understands they are looking at a zoning issue and
not a permit issue tonight.He asked it would require the 20'
setback and he would have to basically move that structure or
cut part of it off if they were to deny him this rezoning
request.
Assistant Planner Stephanie
Bubenheim stated that is correct.He would have to cut part of
that structure to meet the 20' setback or just build a
completely new structure.
Councilmember Waldron
commented in which case he would have to get a permit for either
way.
Assistant Planner Stephanie
Bubenheim stated that is correct.
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FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 37 OF 49
Councilmember Waldron asked
if they were to approve this rezoning then the structure as it
sits now is within the 10'.
Assistant Planner Stephanie
Bubenheim stated that is correct.
Councilmember Waldron
commented for him to continue or do anything with that current
structure he would need a permit to build it to code.
Assistant Planner Stephanie
Bubenheim stated that is correct.He would still need to go
through the building permit process, have a review, get it
approved and then go through all the inspections.
Councilmember Waldron
commented either way, to live in that building, it would still
require a permit.
Assistant Planner Stephanie
Bubenheim stated that is correct.
Councilmember Waldron
commented the only difference is whether or not we do the 10' or
the 20'.
Assistant Planner Stephanie
Bubenheim stated that is correct.
Councilmember Waldron
commented when it is all said and done either way, if he is
going to live in a structure there, we will have some type of
building there that meets code.
Assistant Planner Stephanie
Bubenheim stated that is correct.
Mayor Serdy requested the
applicant address the council.
Mr. David Dixon addressed the
council.He is living there right now because he has to.The
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 38 OF 49
structure was built mainly by his parents.The footprint has
not changed.The only thing that has changed is putting a roof
over it.It looks like things have changed because he has tried
to put some type of a roof over it in order to keep it from
leaking.He has called and asked if he could get a permit to
reroof a mobile home and was told they do not issue permits for
that because they are a mobile home.It is to this date listed
as a mobile home.If he reroofs it he figured it is still a
mobile home with some kind of roof over it to keep the rain from
pouring in.Unfortunately, it was not the right way to go about
it.
Councilmember Evans commented
he said that his parents did most of the addition.
Mr. David Dixon stated that
is correct.
Councilmember Evans asked if
his parents had any knowledge of construction or were they
carpenters.She asked what their qualifications were for even
doing that.
Mr. David Dixon stated his
father built houses all of his life.He got into doing "add -a-
rooms" on to mobile hones which is why all of that took place.
Councilmember Evans commented
if he was in that business and that was his livelihood then he
knew that permits were required, whether it was before we were a
city or afterwards.Someone had to approve a permit to
construct.
Mr. David Dixon stated a
permit had to have been approved because nothing was said about
it as long as Final County had control of that area.
Councilmember Evans commented
he is saying the county said for them to go ahead and do
whatever you want.
Mr. David Dixon stated he
guessed they gave him permits to add what was added on to it.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 39 OF 49
Councilmember Evans commented
he is saying it was all permitted before we were a city in 1978.
Mr. David Dixon stated that
is correct.
Councilmember Evans commented
since 1978 nothing has happened to the property.
Mr. David Dixon stated other
than trying to put some type of roof over it to keep water from
pouring into it every time it rains.
Councilmember Evans commented
a 1960 mobile is constructed so that they support their own.It
cannot have added weight.That is why you cannot get a permit
for a roof on it unless it is just a foam one.From 1978
forward it still has to be self-supporting or it pulls the walls
apart.There is no record at the county and there is no record
at the city for any of the work being done on that property.
She asked if he checked with the city about living in the travel
trailer while this was all being decided or did he just assume
it was okay.
Mr. David Dixon stated all he
is doing is sleeping in the travel trailer.
Councilmember Evans commented
he is using the kitchen that has electricity and plumbing that
is not in the travel trailer.
Mr. David Dixon stated those
are in the house.
Councilmember Evans commented
that is open.It is open to the air.From the pictures it
looks like it is open on one side.
Mr. David Dixon stated it is
not finished.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 40 OF 49
Councilmember Evans asked if
he noticed the county that the mobile was gone because his taxes
are really cheap.
Mr. David Dixon stated the
mobile home was never affixed to the property.
Councilmember Evans commented
it does not matter.
Mr. David Dixon stated
therefore there were no taxes.
Councilmember Evans commented
with all of these additions there has been no notice.
Mr. David Dixon stated that
it does not matter.
therefore there were no taxes.
is correct.
Councilmember Evans commented
her point is that we all pay property tax based on our dwelling.
Because there was no record of this dwelling that is not a
mobile home on 1.6 acres, $756 per year is really a whole lot
less than the majority of us pay.
Mr. David Dixon stated $756.
It used to be around $1,800 to $1,900 and it has steadily come
down.
Councilmember Evans commented
the property tax pays for our schools and the library.Things
that we have all contributed to.It is just one more area that
has been neglected.
Mr. David Dixon stated the
property taxes have gone down.
Mayor Serdy commented tonight
we are just going to vote on what is in front of us.They do
not really need to go there.Let us get back to what we are
going to vote on tonight.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 41 OF 49
Councilmember Rizzi commented
it just sounds like an unfortunate situation that the city was
able to come up with some kind of solution to work with this
person.That is how it sounds to her, that the city was able to
come up with a way to help rectify this probably the easiest
way.
Councilmember Evans commented
this goes back to just being a spot zoning to fix a problem
that, for all intents and purposes the way she is looking at it,
if the board of adjustment said no, those seven people said no,
for planning and zoning there were six people there that night
and they all said no.To her, she feels they are as much a part
of this community to say what we just let slide and what we do
not let slide.
Mayor Serdy opened the public
hearing on the item.There being no one wishing to speak, he
closed the public hearing and reopened the item to council
discussion.There being no further discussion, he called for a
motion.
Vice Mayor Wilson MOVED THAT
ORDINANCE NO. 1457 BE READ BY TITLE ONLY AND THE READING OF THE
ENTIRE ORDINANCE BE WAIVED.
Councilmember Waldron
SECONDED THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
City Clerk Kathleen Connelly
read the ordinance by title only.
Vice Mayor Wilson MOVED THAT
ORDINANCE NO. 1457, AS READ BY THE CITY CLERK, BE APPROVED WITH
THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS:THAT HE ALSO HAS TO PUT IN FOR A
PERMIT TO BE LIVING IN HIS TRAVEL TRAILER ON THE PROPERTY AND IT
MUST BE DONE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 42 OF 49
Mayor Serdy commented that is
the only stipulation.
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
it goes with the other ones there, one through four.
Mayor Serdy asked if he meant
all four, even though he only said the one.
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
he needs to get it put in to live on the property.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he had a point of clarification.He has said as soon as
possible.
within 30 days.
asked within 30 days of what.
within 30 days of approval of this.
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
City Attorney Joel Stern
Vice Mayor Wilson commented
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated he thinks Larry might want to address that real quick.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated the zoning code allows you to live in a
travel trailer with a valid building permit.They do not issue
an eight month permit to live in a travel trailer, fifth wheel
or whatever it is after they get their building permit.They
get the building permit and they can put a temporary residence
on there during construction.Right now he has an architect.
If this is approved tonight they should be putting in some plans
by Monday.They have applied for a permit but they have to meet
structural calculations et cetera.
City Attorney Joel Stern
commented they will still have 90 days.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 43 OF 49
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated they will have to apply for that.He might
have to get a different residence until he gets a valid building
permit.That would be another change to the code.They are not
really authorized to allow people to live in a travel trailer
without a valid building permit.
Mayor Serdy asked if they
could have a whole series of questions now if needed.
City Attorney Joel Stern
asked if he could withdraw the motion.
Vice Mayor Wilson WITHDREW
HIS MOTION.
Mayor Serdy asked what if no
motion gets made.
City Attorney Joel Stern
stated if no motion is made, if they do not vote on this at all,
then it is not approved.Usually there is a motion either way
to vote yes or no.
Mayor Serdy called for a
motion.
Councilmember Waldron
commented unless he missed it, this is the first time he has
heard of an architect being involved with the property.He
asked if he missed that earlier.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated he was represented by an architect at the
board of adjustment.
Councilmember Waldron
commented and he is working with him on redesigning the house.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated the trusses that are there have to be
engineered and an architect would have to stamp those.
Otherwise, we do not know what was constructed and how they are
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 44 OF 49
going to have to be.His understanding is where they saw that
dirt floor was, that is where the mobile home was.He thinks he
is building it up to the original level of the mobile home.
There has to be a floor put in there that will be a couple of
feet, like there will be a crawl space under there.We will
just have to see how it all works.They do not have a full set
of building plans.
Mayor Serdy commented the
board of adjustment heard this after planning and zoning.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated they heard this before planning and zoning.
Mayor Serdy commented
planning and zoning also voted no even knowing that it was going
to be restructured.
Development Services Director
Larry Kirch stated that is correct.He thinks they took the
same viewpoint as the board of adjustment that largely this was
self-imposed.
Mayor Serdy called for a
motion.
Vice Mayor Wilson MOVED THAT
ORDINANCE NO. 1457, AS READ BY THE CITY CLERK, BE APPROVED.
Mayor Serdy commented so that
those four stipulations are in that motion.
Vice Mayor Wilson stated that
is correct.
Mayor Serdy called for a
second.
Councilmember Rizzi SECONDED
IT SINCE STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL FOR REZONING.SHE WILL
SECOND IT AS WE ARE TRYING TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION HERE.
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 45 OF 49
VOTE:5-2 (Councilmembers Evans and Waldron voted in
opposition.)
(During the vote Councilmember Barker commented it seems to her
they are darned if they do and darned if they do not on this.)
(During the vote Councilmember Struble commented this is
happening to us a lot.More than he likes to see and this is
one of these things that when the landowners purchase property
or inherit property or whatever and then they start doing it,
making improvements, making changes, whatever it might be, and
then they come to us to fix the problem.A lot of the times, if
this passes, it will save the landowner some money because he
will not have to tear down and rebuild and all this kind of
stuff.He really thinks it is incumbent upon the landowner to
make sure, first of all, that all the permits are properly
applied for and everything is in compliance going forward, but
also to be a good neighbor and start doing some other
improvements to your property to help out your neighbors and
such.He thinks we are between a rock and a hard spot and he
will vote yes on this just because he thinks they need to move
forward on it.But he thinks landowners need to be aware of
their situations when they do inherit or do purchase property.
It is incumbent upon them to know what they are buying.)
(During the vote Councilmember Evans commented she does not feel
it is the city's duty to waiver, look the other way, make things
right for people one way or the other that do not do it like
everyone else has to do it.To her it encourages people to just
see what they can get away with.We have had so much of that in
the city and it continues, and why would it not when we
continually just well, we will fix this one.And then we end up
with someone else coming.Or someone gets caught because
something broke down and all of a sudden.We want developers to
come in here.We expect to have new subdivisions.Then you
drive around and you see these things and we are not making it
better.We are just continuing the same old same old.She will
not go along with it, no matter what.)
(During the vote Councilmember Waldron commented he does not
believe this structure will survive, one way or the other.He
thinks that, based on the zoning and stuff, he does not believe
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 46 OF 49
the structure will survive and it will have to be rebuilt.The
20' setback should be honored.)
(During the vote Mayor Serdy commented either way they are going
to come out with a better situation because part of that
building is coming down.It is already decided; his vote does
not matter anyway.)
The motion carried.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
DIRECTION TO STAFF
None.
SELECTION OF MEETING DATES, TIMES, LOCATIONS, AND PURPOSES
Councilmember Barker
commented the executive session and work session scheduled for
Monday, February 19, 2018 are canceled due to the observance of
Presidents' Day.She MOVED THAT AN EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 6:00
P.M. AND A WORK SESSION AT 7:00 P.M. BE HELD ON TUESDAY,
FEBRUARY 20, 2018, IN THE CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM AND CITY
COUNCIL CHAMBERS RESPECTIVELY.
Councilmember Rizzi SECONDED
THE MOTION.
VOTE:Unanimous.
The motion carried.
CALL TO THE PUBLIC
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 47 OF 49
Ms. Tess Nesser, 1511 S. Cactus, Apache Junction, addressed the
council to remind everyone that the Renaissance Festival starts
this Saturday.
Mr. George Schroeder, 2444 W. Virginia, Apache Junction,
addressed the council regarding his upcoming meeting on public
trust land, teachers' pay and fraud, leased properties, how
Apache Junction got built and getting rid of the homeless.
Mayor Serdy commented if Lady Tess would come in costume she
would get more interest.
ADJOURNMENT
)Mayor Serdy adjourned the
meeting at 10:10 p.m.
Consent Agenda Items are as follows:
1. Consideration of acceptance of agenda.
2. Consideration of approval of minutes of regular meeting of
January 16, 2018.
ACCEPTED THIS d20 -114 DAY OF , 2018, BY THE
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF APAC E JUNCTION, ARIZONA.
SIGNED AND ATTESTED TO THIS 4.:WC4 DAY OF
ATTEST:
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 48 OF 49
, 2018.
CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the foregoing minutes are a true and
correct copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the City
Council of the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, held on the 6th
day of February, 2018.I further certify that the meeting was
duly called and held and that a quorum was present.
Dated this 13th day of February, 2018.
KATHLEEN CONNELLY
City Clerk
REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 6, 2018
PAGE 49 OF 49